The Investigative Process The responsibility of all who work within

The Investigative Process The responsibility of all who work within the field of criminal justice, both public and private investigators

Reasons to investigate: 1. Criminal act – 2. Background check – 3. Department policy – 4. Citizen complaint – 5. Rumors -

Investigative Terminology Crime – “an act or omission forbidden by law, punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or death” 1. Investigation – “a patient inquiry or observation; to trace or track mentally; to search into; to examine” 2. Investigate – to determine if a crime has or has not occurred 3. - vestigare: to track or to trace Criminal Investigation – “a thorough, and objective search for the truth” 4.

Goals 1. Determine if a crime has been committed 2. Legally obtain evidence and information to identify suspects 3. Identification / arrest of suspects 4. Recover stolen property 5. Present solid case to prosecutor

Both Science and Art 1. Laws of nature / scientific principles 2. Investigator’s ‘ART’ still relied on 3. Called hunch, gut feeling, or instinct 4. Experience, observation, and study 5. Learning / applying / changing

Successful Investigation 1. Logical sequence followed 2. Available evidence legally obtained 3. Witnesses located / effectively interviewed 4. Suspects effectively / legally interrogated

Success, cont. 5. Leads thoroughly developed / followed through 6. Details accurately and completely recorded / reported 7. Evidence properly packaged / stored 8. Professional presentation in court - includes evidential testimony

Functions of Investigator 1. Protect yourself and others - primary function 2. Provide emergency assistance - if qualified 3. Secure location / crime scene - already discussed 4. Initial observation / walk through - understanding of crime

Functions, cont. 5. Photograph / video / sketch / record 6. Make notes or recordings to write reports - maintain notebook for court 7. Search for physical evidence - take custody of - process all evidence 8. Obtain information from all who have knowledge

Functions, cont. 9. Identify suspect or primary 10. Conduct surveillance / stakeouts / other undercover assignments 11. Conduct raids when necessary 12. Testify in court

Overview of Investigation 1. Investigate: determine if crime occurred (Vestigare) 2. Patient inquiry: reconstruct crime (observation / examination / looking into / searching) 3. Overriding goal: thorough / objective search for truth 4. Police want to know: what happened / who is responsible

Overview, cont. 6. Criminal investigation: - a science and an art a. Science – laws of nature and scientific principles (ballistics, fingerprints and polygraph) b. Art – experience / study / and observation